Housing (Land Use)

SB 5413 sets new limits for detached accessory dwelling units (secondary housing units on the same property as a main home) outside urban growth areas in Washington County. It requires counties to enforce specific rules, including a 1,296-square-foot size limit for units, documentation of water/sewer capacity, placement within 150 feet of the main home, and restrictions on short-term rentals (requiring owner occupancy). Counties must also track permits annually, update land use plans to account for these units, and implement enforcement measures like double permit fees for unpermitted units or $1,000+ fines. The bill applies to rural properties outside designated urban boundaries and does not affect existing county ordinances or urban-area rules.

SB 5470 establishes rules for detached accessory dwelling units (secondary housing units) on single-family properties outside urban growth areas in Washington. It limits each parcel to one such unit, caps size at 1,296 square feet (excluding garages), requires water/sewer capacity documentation, and mandates units be within 150 feet of the main home. Counties must annually track permits and short-term rentals, update land use plans to account for these units, and prohibit short-term rentals unless the main home is owner-occupied. The bill applies to rural and suburban areas where counties currently allow such units.